After some time away due to School I am back to relaunch Stars and Strikes just in time for the world cup. I am hoping to be able to bring back all of the old readers since we had some real good conversations going. Anyone who has requests or advice let me know and I will try and make this site as good as it was before if not better.

So there is also an update from Ives about which games will be available to US fans if you own every channel available on cable and satellite and whatever else there is, but there is one glaring exception… no Chelsea v Hull or ESPN at all. Ives who works with ESPN has not said anything about the game, although he was the one who initially said that it should be available on ESPN. However on the ESPN website they have a new guide for the EPL season which has in the preview:

“The new Barclays Premier League season is here and we have all you need to know, including which games will be shown on ESPN.”

Yet when you go to the link there is no info about ESPN games on TV. I think this means one of two things; either 1. they are planning to announce it later with a big announcement, maybe for the nights Sportscenter or after the PGA Championship round is over or 2. They are still negotiating the deal and are leaving the door open to announce the deal if it happens in time. I really hope that we get to see Jozy debut, and if its on ESPN there will probably be lots of coverage about him. But for the rest of the games on TV:

FRIDAY

8pm- FSC- Miami FC Blues vs. Minnesota Thunder

SATURDAY

9:30am- GolTV- Hamburg SV vs. Borussia Dortmund

10am- FSC- Stoke City vs. Burnsley

10am- Setanta Sports- Fulham vs. Portsmouth

10am- Setanta Sports- Blackburn vs. Manchester City

10am- FSC, FSE- Aston Villa vs. Wigan Athletic

12:20pm- Setanta Sports- Newcastle United vs. Reading

12:30pm- GolTV- FC Koln vs. VfL Wolfsburg

12:30pm- FSC, FSE- Everton vs. Arsenal

3pm- Setanta Sports- Toulouse vs. Saint-Etienne

4pm- Direct Kick, Telefutura- D.C. United vs. Toronto FC

5pm- GolTV- Palmeiras vs. Botafogo

5pm- Setanta Sports- West Ham vs. Wolves

6pm- FSC, FSE- Real Salt Lake vs. Houston Dynamo

6pm- Telemundo- Monterrey vs. CD Toluca

7pm- Direct Kick- Columbus Crew vs. FC Dallas

7pm- MSG- New York Red Bulls vs. Chivas USA

7:30pm- GolTV- Millonarios Bogota vs. Nacional Funchal

8pm- Telemundo- Chivas Guadalajara vs. Queretaro FC

9:30pm- GolTV- Medellin vs. Envigado

9:45pm- Telefutura- Pachuca vs. San Luis

11pm- Direct Kick- Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders

SUNDAY

3:30am- FSC- Sydney FC vs. Adelaide United FC

4am- Setanta Sports- Portsmouth vs. Fulham

6am- FSC- Blackburn vs. Manchester City

8:30am- Setanta Sports- Manchester United vs. Birmingham City

11am- FSC, FSE- Tottenham vs. Liverpool

11am- Setanta Sports- Nice vs. Rennes

11:30am- GolTV- Schalke 04 vs. VfL Bochum

1pm- FSE- Morelia vs. Indios

1pm- Telemundo- Pumas UNAM vs. Tigres UANL

1pm- Setanta Sports- Olympique Lyon vs. Valenciennes

2pm- Setanta Sports- Marseill vs. Lille

2:30pm- GolTV- Napoli vs. Salernitana

3pm- Telefutura- Kansas City Wizards vs. Chicago Fire

4:30pm- GolTV- Gremio vs. Flamengo

5pm- Telefutura- Santos Laguna vs. Cruz Azul

5pm- Univision- America vs. Atlas

What are you planning to watch? Most of the EPL Americans are on and Everton v Arsenal seems like an excited game and a big challenge for Tim Howard. Anything else people plan to see?

So with the US loss at Mexico behind us it is time for the start of the Club soccer to begin (besides MLS) and for our players over there to really improve their form. To start this off Clint Dempsey has signed an extension with Fulham:

The Club is delighted to announce that Clint Dempsey has signed a contract extension that will see him remain at Craven Cottage until the summer of 2013.Dempsey signed for the Whites in January 2007 and guaranteed his status as a fan favorite with the all important winning goal against Liverpool that ensured Fulham’s top flight status that season.The 2007/08 campaign saw Dempsey make 36 appearances and score six goals. He bettered that tally in the 2008/09 season, netting eight times in all competitions.Dempsey also played a pivotal role in the United States’ recent Confederations Cup success – with goals against Egypt, Spain and Brazil helping guide his side to the runners-up spot.

Dempsey has been the most successful American in the EPL that is not a Keeper possibly ever, and more time there will hopefully make him stronger.

So Mexico won 2-1… When you consider the lack of importance for the US, the win or they’re probably done mentality for Mexico, and the fact that they played at awful Azteca, this is not the worst result ever. This game undeniable confirmed that the US are the superior team in CONCACAF, or at least in the US v Mexico rivalry (I wont take anything away from Costa Rica yet).

When you take the two games together, our 2-0 win in Columbus and the loss today, this would be a win overall if we considered it a home and home, the way that the Champions League is played, for example. If there is anyone who thinks that Columbus is a harder place to play away than Azteca I would love to hear why, but for now I think that fact makes the overall score even more impressive…

For a recap of the game you can read it on ESPN, but I’m just going to touch on a few things then I would like to hear other peoples thoughts. First I think Charlie Davies has transformed as a player this summer more than any other American and his goal today just confirmed that. Also Landon’s pass was world class and I feel he could still be immensely successful in Europe if he found the right place. I’m glad that I called the two guys who would be left out, although that was not the biggest deal ever. And lastly Tim Howard made some unbelievable saves like always, to help confirm that he is the best in the world.

Here are recent updates from all the US soccer players that I can find on Twitter:

JozyAltidore17: training went well the boys look sharp! Best of luck to Chuck D as he is going to set the french league on fire!!
JozyAltidore17: I like hull its a very peaceful place and the people are very friendly. happy to be here.

stuholden22RT: @MauriceEdu: Good luck to my boy @CharlieDavies9 as he makes his debut in the French league 2day! (Gonna try and watch u online my broda)

MauriceEdu: Good luck to my boy @CharlieDavies9 as he makes his debut in the French league 2day! Do work son, we all behind u!

CharlieDavies9: Today is game day folks! My debut in the French League. I’m real excited. Str8 Amped lol! Thanks for all the love! Greatly appreciated.

Due to the overwhelming response that people want to hear more about Americans playing outside the US I’ve added a new link to the top of the blog that lists all of the players and where they play. If anyone knows someone I missed or if someones information is wrong please leave a comment. Hope you like it…

Update: I’ve also added a separate tab that lists all of the goals scored and clean sheets by American players abroad that is made by bigsoccer.com member ZACicker. Tell me if you like these new additions and if there is anything else you would like to see in a Tab…